Aeroplane-wing structure



May 3,- 1927. J. MARTIN 27.191

' AEROPLANE WING STRUCTURE Original Filed March 5, 1921- s Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1.

attoznu 1,627,191 May 3, 1927- J, v. MARTIN AEROPLANE WING STRUCTURE Original Filed ch 5, 1921 SSheets-Sheet 2 Ma 3 1927. I

y J. v. MARTIN AEROPLANE WING STRUCTURE Orizinal Filed M rch 5. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gnuenkoo Patented May 3, 1927.

UNITED STATES" JLMES V. MARTIN, OF GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK.

AnRorLsnn-wme s'raucrmmf Original application fil ed March 5, 1921, Serial No. 450,034. Divided and this application filed August 14, 1922. Serial No. 581,702. f

It is not a novel conce tion to house various motors, tanks, peop e and cargo within the upper and lower skin of an aeroplane wing, but to produce a design wherein these and other elements of the aeroplane are housed within a form of wing having a high lift drift value and a practical, internal trussing system' is the objectof this invention. With this as the rincipal object, the

moredetuiled objects 0 .this invention are as follows:

To produce a wing combination of high lift drift values which can be readily re" duced in area during flight without weakening the internal truss of the aeroplane.

' To create a combination of two or more vaerofoils so juxtaposed that the interference of one wing upon the other shall increase the efficiency of one wing without a corresponding decrease of efficiency upon the other, or

.in other words, so that the sum of the interference shall be more helpful than harmful,

i. .e., beneficial interference.

To provide within the wing of an aeroplane a su port for mail, parcel, or bomb so "designed tlat any of the said articles may be released and allowed to drop out of both their support and the wing to which the support is secured.

To provide an efficient aeroplane wing of such strength and proportions that it will accommodate within its upper and lower skins, smaller aeroplanes and gliders and to adapt said wing as a suitable starting and 5 alighting' place for said aeroplanes.

To provide a life preserver glider. andstore same within the wing with rapid de tachable gear so that in case of fire or'other danger, the assengers may exit from the wing and gllde to afield or to the water where the said glider will float until assistancearrives.

To provide a form of internal truss de- "signed to perform the double function of a truss and a partition dividing sleepin and diping rooms from engine rooms an the li e. f'

To provide a circulation system for large aeroplane wings designed to circulate the air naturally and freely to the various sleeping, eating, storing and other compartments of the aeroplane.

To provide a weight distribution of cargo, power units and passengers which will redude the stresses offlying and alighting as broadly set forth in my prior application Serial No. 294,466, filed May 3rd, 1919.

' To provide special means for varying propeller velocity at high altitudes.

To provide a pressure valve and pump system for the automatic regulation of the internal wing pressure at varying altitudes.

-To provide an improved form of aileron adaptable to a retractable wing.

A further object of the invention is to rovide in connection with the wing end 0 an aeroplane, a type of side light wholly enclosed within the wing but transparent through" said wing and screened from certain arcs by the said wing.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved carriage for a servo motor adapted to retract or extend said servo motor at will.

Heretofore, wires, struts, chassis, pontoons and braces have been fitted externally to what has been called an aeroplane body, nacelle or fuselage, these members are useless aerodynamically since there is no lifting component to the resistance they create, therefore refinement has required their elimination during flight and various methods for drawing chassis and other members within the aeroplane body during flight, have been proposed and actually accomplished.

However, the body resistance is also of the useless character called parasite resistance and therefore in the more refined aeroplanes of the future, the designer must face closures of the greates usefulness to the advancing art.

The drawings indicate the internally trussed type of win possessing win bars and ribs as indicate so spaced and ormed that the interventing spaces become availableand adapted to accommodate the chassis when retracted and housing for the power units. Also, double use has been made. of

, radio quarters.

-i'ng thecentral fuselage and the lateral These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detail disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, but throughout the invention, there is one consistentpurpose, i. e., to so modify and adapt the essential elements of a wing and those of the elements which are housed within the win that a practical and eflicient aeroplane will result, and as the relative motions of theparts housed within the wind are accomplished during flight, thus altering the stresses of the wing structure and changing the aeroplane balance, it is essential that the internal wing structure be embodied in practical proportions and designedto care for these and other problems which may be re- ,sented. -This is a division of my eopenc mg application Serial No. 450,034.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an aeroplane'constructed in accordance with the presentinvention showing the retractable wing sections .and the transversely tioned propellers and driving motors t mmfor, g j

Figure 2 is a detail sectional. view of one end of a wing section showing the s gnal lamp and colored covering glass. plate therefor,

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the aeroplane showing the pontoons and chassis lowered'in their operative positions as indicated by dotted lines,

Figure 4 is a side elevational view showmain plane or aerofoil section with the pontoon lowered into operative position and illustrated in dotted lines,

Figure 5 is a front elevational view similar to Fig. 3 showing the outer wing sections retracted into the main aerofoil,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the aerofoil showing the brace ribs and trusses, storage com artments and a smaller aeroplane housed t erein also a glider located on a door'hinged to the bottom surface of the aerofoil,

Figure 8 shows another longitudinal sectional view of the aerofoil wherein a smaller aeroplane may alight upon the upper surface of the aerofoil for passing to the interior of the aerofoil by an elevator construc- -tion with a sliding door in the bottom surface of the ae'rofoil to permit the smaller aeroplane to drop through the door opening "Figure 7 shows the aerofoil construction, in a further longitudinal section, wherein a motor operated rod has a gear connection osi- 'the aerofdil and the form of the groove in the under aerofoil which is closed flush by 'the retraction of the chassis frame.

The construction of aeroplane hereinafter described in ,detail provides for a main plane or aerofoil of hollow formation with the upper and lower surfaces suitably braced by ribs and wing bars, retractable wings being associated with the lateral extremities of the main aerofoil and the said retractali'le' wings similarly formed of hollow construc tion and having sectional ailerons hin ed thereto under control of the operator wit tin the aerofoil for retracting the wings and the ailerons hinged thereon with the hinge sections of the ailerons being independently operable to var the lateral control oflthe aeroplane durlng flight. Signal lamps are arranged at the extremities of the main wing sections and are so positioned as to direct the rays forwardly and laterally of the wings and aerofoil without the light rays crossing the bow of the mainaerofoil section. Storage and living compartments are arranged in the aerofoil to provide for distribution of weight therein. The invention further contemplates as an im rovement in the art, a novel construction 0 landing and discharging apparatus for a smaller aeroplane to be received, retained or diswitlnn the main aerofoil sec ments being operable from within the fusela ge at a convenient point.

A main plane or aerofoil section 4 of hol low construction is carried by the fuselage l. The said main plane embodies a compartment having upper and lower skin surfaces o'and 6 respectively with the skin walls maintained in spaced relation by the. bracing ribs and struts 7 shown more clearly in Figs. 6 and], the general design of the aerofoil being such as to provide for the least resistance during flight.

'As clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 5, retractable wing sections are associated with the lateral extremities of the aerofoil, the re-' hinged to the rear edge thereof as at with the sections 9 and 9' capable of independent movement relative to the'wing section 8 and each other bythe usual devices but operable from within the fuselage or aerofoil, the wings and ailerons being shown in Fig. 1 in dotted line position, as retracted with the outerv aileron section 9 projecting'laterally of the aerofoil for operation when the wing is retracted to the limit of its inward movement, the retraction of the wings reducing the air resistance of" the aeroplane and also permitting the lateral control of thesame.

'As shown in Figsl and 2 the forwardedge extremities of the wing sections 8 are provided with pockets 11 closed by colored glass plates or lenses '12 constituting a cage for navigation lights with a lamp 13 positioned within the cage, having a deflector l1 associated therewith to prevent the rays of the lamp from crossing the bow of the aeroplane, the construction of win pocket further preventing the lamp rays rom rejecting more than two points abaft the cam of the aeroplane in any direction up or down or sidewise, the wing section 8 being of hollow construction. A pilot within the fuselage or aerofoil may easily observe the lamps 13 through the short sight tube 14 carried in the wall of'the pocket 11 to ascertain whether or not the lamp is illuminated, while access to the lamp from within the wing, is attained by the provision of the hinged door section 15 in the pocket 11 as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The propulsion of the aeroplane embodies the rovision of a plurality of transversely positioned motors within. the aerofoil associated with a novel" transmission, three operating transmissions and propellers being shown as located at each slde of the fuselage, but it 1s intended that this invention should not be limited, as

any number of motors or transmissions may be employed, these transmissions being generally shownv in Figs. 1 and 3 to 5.

In the forms of the invention shown in .Figs. 6 to 8,the aerofoil construction practically remains the same, but in lieu of the retractable wings and ailerons, rigid wings are associated with the aerofoil, the aerofoil being divided transversely into forward and rearward air tight compartments 84 and 85 and an intermediate compartment 86, the three compartments bein separated by the forward and rearward wing bars 87 and 88 respectively. To provide for the proper ventilation of the several air. compartments,

and to equalize the pressure interiorly" and exteriorly of the aerofoil, air-supplymeans extends from an .air pump to the forward 'wing bar and has a valve connection with the branch pipe 90 of the pipe 91 within the forward wing bar, said pipe 91 having a branch 92 extending into the forward eompartment 84 while a valve 93 at the upper end of the pipe 91 is regulated to admit external air pressure to the pipe 91 for delivery to the forward compartment 84. The can-' 'tilever bracing of the aerofoil as shown in Figs. 6 to 8 provides angle bar braces 94 between the spaced walls of the forward and rearward wing bars. As shown in Fig. 6,

the central compartment 86 is divided by a horizontal partition 95 to provide an upper 86, this chassis generally shown embodies a frame bar 98 having a rack bar 99 operated by a gear upon the lower end of the rotatable shaft 100 that is suitably operated by a power device illustrated by the numeral 101 and fully described in Serial 450,034, the flexible cord 7 0 diagrammatically illustrated as connected to the inner end of the rack bar 99 and the operating mechanism 101 associated with the shaft 100, the mechanism 101 being rendered inoperative by the flexible cord 70 at the limit of inward movement of the chassis frame 98. The bottom surface of the aerofoil is provided with a slotted opening 102 to accommodate the chassis frame 98' and the ground wheel carried thcreby with the frame and wheel substantially occupying the position illustrated by dotted lines in said figure." Another feature of the invention is shown in Fig. 8 wherein a particular alighting platform 103 forming a continuation 'of the upper wall of the aerofoil receives the aeroplane such as 96: The platform 103 is operated by'the motor 104 in an obvious (worm shaft with'bevel gear) manner for lowering the aeroplane 96' onto the skid door 105 so it can be suspendedwithin the compartment 86 by a trip hook arrangement 95, a sliding door 97' operated' by the motor 97 being provided in the bottom wall of the aerofoil to permit the discharge of theaeroplane 96, upon releasing the triphook 95'. Motors 104 and 97" are similar in construction tomotor 101,

which is fully described in the parent case,

land is hingedly connected to the aerofoilas shown in connection with Fig.7 and further illustrated in Fig. 3, and in lieu of the retracting means for the chassis shown in Fig. 7, the same may be operatedb a flexi ble tube connection with a suitab e power device. Where the retractable pontoons and chassis are directly connected' to the aerofoil; it is necessary to modify the rib and spar construction of the aerofoil to accommodate the'reception into the aerofoil of the supporting frame bars for the pontoons and chassis, this feature of the invention being shown. in Figs. 9 and 9, the lower bracing ribs of the acre-foil having a channel groove portion 107 with the pontoon. or chassis supporting frame being of the cross sectional design as illustrated at 98 for reception in the channel recesses, this provision in no manner affecting the bracing strength of the ribs and spars and wheel permittlng the complete reception of the pontoon and chassis frameswithin the aerofoil, and utilizing the frame membcrsto flushly close the slots in the wings. 7

For purposes of further stabilizing the aeroplane when traveling on waterwith the pontoons 34 lowered as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 5, wing end ontoons108'are hinged to swing transverse y of the ends of the aerofoil with the outer faces thereof curved coincident to the'curvature of the bottom surface of the aerofoil with the end pontoons received in pockets provided in the bottom faces of the aerofoils when in their closed positions as indicated by dotted line in Fig. 5. The provision of upper and lower openings 103 and 97' ail 0rd emergency exits in case of danger. It is to-be noted that the several motors illustrated herein for operating the doors, etc., are especially adapted for aeroplane or airship use, since they are independent of the power generator after storing energy to be used in emergency: thus, whenever an operation such as retracting a wing or closing a wing door is accomplished, the forms of motors shown have the stored energy available at all times to reverse the operation without depending upon anaeroplane, gas or. electric motor From the above detail description of the.

invention, it is thought that the points of novelty fully brought out will be at once evident, it being noted that part of the resisance created by the tapering ends of the aerotoil as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 will be available as beneficial interference to in crease the life of the outer wing sections positioned at the upper ends of the main aero'foil. The interior of the air-tight compartment is supplied sufficient air for ventilation purposes as well as inflating the pentoons, and by means of a reversible pitch propeller may be used either to increase or decrease air pressure within the aeroplane compartments orthe pontoons, and further supplies air to the forward compartments 84' as shown in Fig. 8 while the valve 93 controls the internal and external air pressure on the aerofoil.

While there are herein shown and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invenlion as claimed.

What isclaimed as new is:

1-. In an aeroplane, the combination of two relatively telescopic wings, an aileron on one of said wings, said aileron being divided into two independently operable sections the innermost aileron being retractable within a wing section. 4

2. The combination with an aeroplane wing, spars and ribs adapted to rovide an internal truss for said wing, a p urality of power units rigidlyattached to the said wing truss, a chassis retractable within the said wing covering and means located betwcen thesaid wing spars for the retraction of saidchassis.

3. The combination with the internal structure of an aeroplane wing of compartments adapted for human occupation and separated by partitions and the said partitions forming part of the wing'truss for the adequate strength of the said wing.

4. The combination with an aeroplane wing having its truss wholly within its external skin' of compartments partitioned completely one from the other and doors provided between the said compartments and means for circulating air between the said compartments when said doors are closed.

5. The combination within an aeroplane wing, of compartments separated one from the other by double partitions and means between the partitions for the circulation of air and means adapted to open or close the partitions to the compartments at the will of the inmates.

6. In combination with an aeroplane wing, a wing section adapted to retract within another wing section during flight, an aileron fitted to the first said wing section and said aileron being divided into two parts one of said parts retractable within said second wing section and independent means for operating each part.

7. In'combination with the internal structure of an aeroplane wing, a support arranged within the said wing, a parcel or torpedo arranged in the said support, an opening in the wing normally below the said parcel, a sliding door to close said opening, power means to operate said door, and releasing means adapted to free the said parcel from the said support. 7

8. In combination with an aeroplane wing, an object adapted for release from said wing,

a support for said object, releasing means 1 I for said object from said support, a door adapted to open for the exit of said object, power means to operate said door and means within the wingto operate the door toopen and close the same.

9-. In combination with an aeroplane wing, a housing provided within the-said'wing for a small aeroplane or glider and means for the exit of the said glider duringflight.

10. In combination with an aeroplane wing, a port-ion of the upper surface of said wing adapted for the alighting ofa smaller aeroplane and means for ingress for the said small aeroplane within the wing structure of the said aeroplane wing.

11. In combination within the internal structure of an aeroplane wing, a glider provided with flotation means, and adapted as a life preserver for rapid exit from within the aeroplane wing in case of danger and means for releasing the said glider for exit from within the said wing.

12. In combination with an aeroplane wing a lamp fitted into the forward ortion of said wing so that the said wing 'orms a. rear streamline for the said lamp, and sa1dlamp affording an uninterrupted transparent are from dead ahead, several degrees in several directions.

' 13. The combination with the streamline of an aeroplane external skin, a portion of said external skin of transparent material and a light disposed-within the said external skin and adapted to shine through it, through limited arcs from dead ahead.

14. In combination with the inclosed wing of an aeroplane, two separate means of exit and entrance, one being located in the roof or overhead portion of said wing and the other opening being located in a portion other than the said roof of said wing.

15. In an aeroplane, a wing having a pocket formed in the lateral outer end thereof and a si nal lamp arranged to shine uninterruptedIy through several degrees and in several directions from dead-ahead within said pocket.

16. In combination with an aeroplane Wing,

a signal lamp carried thereby with the rays of the lamp projecting laterally and forwardly of the v without crossing the bow thereof, said wing forming a rearward streamline for the sai 'lamp.

17, In combination within the inclosed wing, but screened from portions of a relatively large power pro-H pelled aircraft, asmaller aircraft provided with alighting means, and releasable means within the said larger aircraft for securing the said smaller aircraft to the said lar er aircraftand holding the forward portion of said smaller aircraft in the direction of normal 'fli 'ht of said larger aircraft.

18-. In combination with lights for an aeroplane, a lamp disposed so its light shines dead ahead, a form partially streamlining-the said lamp and portions of the aeroplane wing supportin the said lamp and form and complementing said form'as part of the streamline for said lamp.

19. A closed housing for an aeroplane light supported by and partially located in the aeroplane wing, the rays of said light adapted to shine from dead ahead through limited arcs in other directions.

. 20. In combination with an aeroplane; [lamp screened through certain sectors, means located in said-screened portion's to inspect the said lamp, from a position within the aeroplane.

21. In combination with an aeroplane light, a closed housing for the said light including a transparent sector forward of said light and an opa ue aeroplane sector to rearward thereof an the outside walls of said opaque sector tapering'rearwardly untilthey substantially meet.

22. In combination with an aircraft, a

side light therefor and arranged to shine upwardly and downwardly through substantially the same sectors as sidewise and screened by the aircraft structure from shining through certain sectors.

In testimony whereof affix my signature'.

JAMES V. MARTIN. 

